Definition of naturalismnext
as in realism
realistic depiction in art and literature a major exponent of naturalism, Theodore Dreiser depicted life's harsh realities unflinchingly and without moral judgment

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of naturalism In this delightful piece of armchair naturalism, Henion’s goal is to change our vilification of darkness, to see it instead as a restorative balm, and to stoke curiosity about nocturnal landscapes and creatures. The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026 Nilsson’s depiction of bodies past their prime conjures not the pitiless naturalism of Joan Semmel or Alice Neel, but something friskier, more delighted. Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026 In animation, every robot is ‘real’ within the context of its own work; each one exists according to that story’s particular worldview, sense of naturalism, and understanding of humanity. Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026 La Tour was born in Lorraine, a duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, in 1593, twenty-one years after Caravaggio, whose sensational combination of naturalism and theater, light and dark, formed him as a painter. Nicole Krauss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naturalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naturalism
realism
Noun
  • The country’s tragic 21st-century travails provide much of the fodder for the couple’s drama in director Cyril Aris’ moving film, including whether to stay or emigrate, with touches of magical realism and whimsy providing levity.
    David Faris, TheWeek, 6 July 2026
  • There are probably easier ways to mount a crime thriller steeped in gritty realism than centering it on a villain made of gas.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026

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“Naturalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naturalism. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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